Regulations

National Road Traffic Regulations, 2000

Chapter V : Fitness of Drivers

Part II : Learner's and driving licences

A person shall be disqualified from obtaining or holding a learner's or driving licence unless—

(a)

in the case of an application for a learner's or driving licence relating to the code A1, A, B or EB, such person has—

(i)

according to the Snellen rating a minimum visual acuity, with or without refractive correction, of 6/12 (20/40) for each eye, or where the visual acuity of one eye is less than 6/12 (20/40) or where one eye of the person concerned is blind, a minimum visual acuity for the other eye of 6/9 (20/30); and

(ii)

a minimum visual field of 70 degrees temporal, with or without refractive correction, in respect of each eye, or where the minimum visual field in respect of one eye is less than 70 degrees temporal, or where one eye is blind, a minimum total horizontal visual field of at least 115 degrees with or without refractive corrector; or

(b)

in the case of an application for a learner's or driving licence relating to the code C1, C, EC1 or EC, such person has—

(i)

according to the Snellen rating a minimum visual acuity, with or without refractive correction, of 6/9 (20/30) for each eye; and

(ii)

a minimum visual field of 70 degrees temporal in respect of each eye, with or without refractive correction.

(2)

(a)

A person who is disqualified in terms of subregulation (1) may at such person's expense approach a registered optometrist or ophthalmologist to test such person's eyes in terms of the standards referred to in subregulation (1), and the result of such test shall, if it duly reflects the visual acuity of such person according to the Snellen rating, and his or her field of vision expressed in degrees, as contemplated in subregulation (1), be accepted by the driving licence testing centre.

(b)

If the result contemplated in paragraph (a) indicates that the person concerned is disqualified as contemplated in subregulation (1), the driving licence testing centre shall not issue such person with a learner's or driving licence with a code to which the application of that person relates.